Ruth López, a well-known lawyer leading anti-corruption efforts in El Salvador, was arrested late Sunday, igniting fears among human rights advocates that this signals a troubling shift in President Nayib Bukele's approach to dissent. López, who has gained prominence for exposing alleged corruption and misconduct by the Bukele administration, was detained amidst accusations from the attorney general's office that she played a role in the illicit actions of her former colleague, Eugenio Chicas.
Chicas, a former press secretary under ex-President Salvador Sánchez Cerén and a past president of the supreme electoral tribunal, was arrested earlier this year on charges related to corruption. López's organization has not received any formal charges against her, nor has her whereabouts been confirmed since her detention.
Human rights organizations and legal experts quickly condemned López's arrest, interpreting it as a clear tactic by Bukele to silence his critics. They express concern that the president's alliance with former U.S. President Trump has empowered his aggressive stance against opposition voices within El Salvador. Rights advocates argue that this case is indicative of a deteriorating respect for democratic principles in the country.
